Marquette University Alumni Association Mentor Newsletter April 2019 Register now for April 25 progam finale and Ignatian Examen; mentors from El Rey Family Market lend a helping hand Join fellow mentors, mentees, campus partners and university staff on Thursday, April 25, for the 2018-19 MUAA Mentor Program Finale Celebration and optional Ignatian Examen. The finale takes place on campus at the 707 Hub and optional Ignatian Examen will be held at the Dr. E. J. O'Brien Jesuit Residence. Attend the finale for a short time or stay for the duration at this reception-style event, featuring complimentary fare with a Mexican twist, thanks in part to the generosity of mentors Liz, Arts ’03, and Nelson, H Sci ’04, of El Rey Family Market, a long-time Milwaukee favorite.   Learn more and register by Friday, April 19, for the MUAA Mentor Program Finale Celebration and optional Ignatian Examen. It’s the final countdown. Five suggestions to discuss, consider prior to April 25 While the formal conclusion to working with your mentor or mentee is just two weeks from today, consider these five ideas with your mentor or mentee to help ensure a solid finish and beyond 1. Check. 1, 2, 3…1, 2. Review your goals document. What’s been completed? What remains? What needs to get done? Chart a course to accomplish the goals- and then congratulate each other for completing them. Each year, an average of 90 percent of mentors and mentees indicate they complete their goals. 2. Reflect. Discuss what went well and any challenges during these past months. What did you each find to be most beneficial? Feel great about what you’ve accomplished and take advantage of the time to learn from each other. 3. Keep in touch. Although the formal program concludes April 25, have a conversation about continuing the partnership. Periodic check-ins are a great way to enhance the relationship, whether it’s discussing summer activities, progress with a new job, facing a difficult decision or just to say hello. Mentors are there to help (and mentors, be sure to remind your mentee of this). Some program participants who worked together as many as six years ago are still in contact with each other. The relationship you’ve established this year can be just the start of something even more valuable. 4. Thank you. Gracias. Merci. Mentees, take a couple of minutes to send a handwritten thank you note to your mentor. It’s guaranteed they’ll appreciate- and remember- your gratitude. 5. Back to the Future. Mentees, be sure to keep in touch with mentor program staff. Whether it's career-related news, are looking to network with a mentor in a specific industry or geographic area or would like to stay involved in the program, let us know. Many mentees are still engaged in the program. Join them and Be The Difference by paying it forward through time, talent and treasure to support mentees. Job shadow visits continue to be priceless experiences for mentees  Among the most valuable opportunities mentees share each year is job shadowing their mentor or an individual in a career of interest. Learn about mentees' firsthand accounts of these recent job shadow experiences thanks to mentors. Comerford's dream becomes reality shadowing Cubs' Kasper By Communication mentee Zoe Comerford As the mentee of Len Kasper, Comm ’93 and the TV play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs, we’ve worked together on many goals these past few months. Read more. Vonderhaar credits mentor with fueling enthusiasm and excitement of future career By Ellie Vonderhaar, Communication mentee On March 22, I shadowed my MUAA Mentor Program mentor Brad West, Comm ’01 and senior account manager for FGS in Chicago. FGS is a solution partner that works with the NFL and other fun and interesting clients. Learn more. San Francisco trip to shadow mentor completes final goal, introduces what might be next By Annah Horst From the beginning of the MUAA Mentor Program, it had been a goal of mine to visit my mentor, Meghan Arnold, Comm ’02 and Typekit product marketing manager at Adobe in San Francisco. It’s amazing to say that I accomplished and far exceeded that goal. Read the rest of the story. Attendance at Cities Striving for Peace event goes beyond mentee’s grandest expectations   By Ashlie Benson, Graduate School mentee In addition to working with MUAA Mentor Program mentor Jason Rae, Arts ’09 and partner at Nation Consulting in Milwaukee, I received a special invitation from another mentor from Maura Farrell, Arts ’92 and managing director at Kivvit in Chicago. When she emailed me with an opportunity to attend a client event that she thought I would be interested in, I wasn’t thinking grand enough. Read more about Ashlie's job shadow experience.   Special thanks to many mentors with their generous gifts to make the travel stipend opportunity possible. Mentors or mentees interested in making a gift to support the MUAA Mentor program, including the travel stipend initiative, can contact Dan DeWeerdt. Mentor program salutes mentor Quinn as College of Communication award recipient Congratulations to mentor Sheena Quinn, Comm ’04 and director of public relations for the Chicago White Sox, as recipient of the Diederich College of Communication Young Alumna of the Year Award (Maggie Lamal, Communication mentee). The Marquette University Alumni Association Mentor Program salutes Sheena and all award recipients during Alumni Awards Weekend, April 25-27. See an entire listing of awardees and honor Sheena and other recipients here.   BMOC (Big Mentors on Campus): alumni return to classroom to share career insights Congratulations to the following mentors for providing their valuable career experiences with Marquette students: Gerry Ahern, Comm ’87 and digital sports executive and editor, is an adjunct professor in the Diederich College of Communication teaching “Advanced Topics in Journalism – Sports this semester. He travels to campus weekly from the Detroit area to teach this course, which includes several mentor program mentees. (Bryan Geenan, Communication mentee) Kelly Kauffman, Arts ’97, chief human capital officer of the Milwaukee Bucks, and Dr. Heather Smith, lead psychologist, Milwaukee VA Medical Center and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, led an April 9 discussion at Career Night, presented by Psi Chi, the National Honors Society in Psychology. Approximately 20 students and Dr. Steven Saunders, chair and professor in the Department of Psychology and mentor program campus partner, were in attendance. (Molly Gramoll, Communication mentee: Kelly Kauffman; Kate Gustafson, Arts mentee: Dr. Heather Smith)   "You're a Marquette Grad. Now What?" offers career preparation insights for students, young alumni on April 23 Whether graduation is in May or more than a year from now, mentees, the entire student community and young alumni are invited to attend “You’re a Marquette Grad. Now What?” on Tuesday, April 23, in Johnston Hall. This career-related panel discussion will cover topics ranging from factors to consider in a job offer and the value of networking to financial planning and why work/life balance matters. Join program panelists and mentors Gretchen Borden, Eng ’03, Grad ’07 of Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Engineering mentee Isabelle Yoshizaki), and Jeff Sherman, Bus Ad ’91 of OnMilwaukee.com and ZYN (Communication mentee Madison Oakley), as well as Courtney Hanson, Arts ’98, Health ’00, Grad ’06 from the Marquette University Career Services Center. The panel will be moderated by Communication mentee Jack Phillips (Tim Van Vooren, Comm ’87, mentor). This is the on-campus debut for this program, with previous stops in Chicago and New York. April reflection: Resurrection story reminds us to look forward with hope By Rev. Frederick Zagone, S.J., Acting Vice President for Mission and Ministry and National Alumni Association Chaplain A fellow member at the Marquette Rec-Plex recently said it seems Easter has arrived so fast. I pointed out that this is the latest possible date on the calendar for Easter. Although Easter Sunday is soon, I reminded him that as Christians we celebrate Easter for fifty days so in fact, we have a long way to go. Read the full reflection. In the News Prince Beniana, Mentee Alumni Network member and Business Administration student, has been named recipient of Black Student Council’s Most Influential Student award. The award recognizes “someone who is dedicated to the betterment of the Marquette and Milwaukee community.” (Mike Brennan, Arts ’87, mentor)  Dan Brophy, Arts mentee, has been elected Marquette University Student Government executive vice president for the 2019-20. (Dr. Mary Hunt, Arts ’72, mentor) Parker Dow, Engineering mentee, is co-creator and current associate director of the first official TEDxMarquetteU group with mentee Kyle Hagge. Read more about the recent launch. (Bill Krueger, Eng ’87, mentor)   Kyle Hagge, Graduate School mentee, and Parker Dow, Engineering mentee, are co-creator and current associate director of the first official TEDxMarquetteU group. Read more about the recent launch. (Scott Kitun Comm ’06, mentor)   Monica Kuhnert, H Sci ’07, has been named senior marketing manager for Medtronic, focusing on the company’s spine surgical robotic platform. She resides in the Chicago area. (Alyssa Aubin, H Sci mentee) Kathryn McCarthy, MUAA Mentor Program intern, mentee alumna and Communication student, will serve a summer internship in global operations at Energy BBDO in Chicago. Anna Bruno Bleers, Comm ’94, serves in the same office as senior vice president and client services director. (Chris Devine, Comm ’94, previous mentor) Ellie Vonderhaar, Communication mentee, is participating in Dance Marathon on April 12 at the Alumni Memorial Union. Participants raise money for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin by standing on their feet 12 hours for kids with pediatric illness. Learn more, including how to support her. (Brad West Comm ’01, mentor) Tommy Walls, Arts ’14, has been named director of operations for the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Charlotte (N.C). (Kaleb Tatum, Arts mentee) Mallory Winkler, Communication mentee, will be serving this summer as the social media intern for the Texas Rangers. (Bob Kohl Comm ’89, mentor)     Share your latest news such as a new job, promotion, award or service project with program participants In the News. Send a one-sentence description with a headshot (no selfies, please) to Dan DeWeerdt. MUAA Mentor Program Toolbox offers relevant mentor, career resources 10 Benefits Of Having A Mentor And Characteristics Of A Good Mentor; Inspiring Citizen Mentoring Youth Matters; Psychology Today From mentor and mentee broad-based questions to timely and trending mentor and professional development articles, visit the MUAA Mentor Program Toolbox. See an interesting mentor or professional development story you'd like to share with fellow participants? Email it to Dan DeWeerdt.